MOUNT OLIVE — The ex-treasurer of a Mount Olive parent-teacher organization siphoned off nearly $2,000 from the PTO, then tried to put the money back when she learned the matter was being investigated, police say.

Police say Jacqueline Tierney, while she was co-treasurer of the Tinc Road School PTO, stole $1,956 from the group. The PTO's new president and treasurer discovered accounting inconsistencies after a change of officers took place, Cpl. Eric Anthony said.

Officer Michael Zarro and Detective Sgt. Luis Sanchez investigated the report of an apparently missing $1,956, and around the same time, PTO members went to Tierney to question her about the money, Anthony said. While the investigation was going on, Tierney deposited the exact same amount back into the PTO business account, using a deceased relative's checking account, he said.

Tierney also filed a false police report in which she indicated she had a large sum of cash stolen from her residence, police said.

Anthony said police believe Tierney took the money from May 25 through July 30 of this year. She was arrested on Sept. 12 and released on her own recognizance pending a court appearance, police said.

The PTO's current president, Krista Cerasoli, was reached by NJ.com Thursday afternoon, but she said she couldn't speak at that time. A message left at a number listed for Tierney on the PTO's webpage had not yet been returned.